Advisory Services
Our advisory services are driven by expertise and a commitment to excellence.
We specialize in grant funding, equity assessments, planning, and sustainability. Helping communities thrive through strategic solutions. Our team develops effective funding strategies; equips government entities with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility-focused insights; and guides municipalities through land use and community growth challenges. We also help clients achieve sustainability goals with environmentally responsible designs. Together, we are committed to creating a more just, accessible, and sustainable future.
Grant Funding
Our interdisciplinary team of funding experts, designers, and planners understands the ever-changing funding landscape and works closely with our clients to develop and execute a holistic funding strategy. We are experts in developing successful grant applications and navigating the complex web of available funding opportunities and award requirements.
Equity Assessments
McAdams is dedicated to empowering government entities with comprehensive advisory services rooted in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles. Our expertise bridges the administrative and operational realms, offering tailored assessments that address:
- Departmental Operations: Staffing, practices, policies, and programs.
- Community-centered frameworks: Ordinance reviews, land use policies, housing strategies, and parks and recreation systems.
Our equity assessments are more than evaluations—they are transformative conversations. We engage with staff, elected officials, and the broader community through:
- Individual Interviews
- Focus Groups
- Interactive Workshops
We leverage our Equity Assessment Toolkit to identify system-wide gaps, uncover barriers, and provide actionable recommendations to drive meaningful change.
Whether we foster inclusivity in organizational practices or reimagine policies for equitable land use and community services, we are committed to helping you build a more just and accessible future.
Planning + Parks
McAdams’ advisory planning services help municipalities navigate the complexities of land use, public engagement, and community growth issues. We provide expert guidance to ensure plans, projects, and local government entities achieve their goals.
Key Offerings:
- Comprehensive and Area Plan Development: Assistance in creating or updating long-term plans that guide land use, zoning, parks, and transportation.
- Strategic Planning and Operational Efficiency: Evaluate vision, mission, and strategic direction to ensure local government entities optimize operational efficiency.
- Community Engagement and Mediation: Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and consultations to gather diverse perspectives. Mediation between developers, local governments, and community members to resolve conflicts and find a path forward.
- Training and Capacity Building: Workshops and training sessions on best practices and emerging trends for city councils, planning boards, parks boards, and municipal staff.
Resiliency + Sustainability
Our team excels at advising McAdams’ clients on integrating resilient, sustainable, and environmentally sensitive design concepts into their projects. Through this expertise, we have successfully guided clients in implementing nature-based solutions that have not only achieved LEED® accreditation but also advanced carbon reduction goals and significant energy savings. Our resilience in tackling complex challenges is evident as we collaborate closely with our grant funding team to secure innovative funding sources, ensuring the success of groundbreaking designs.
“Diversity, equity, inclusion are not just things you do, but who you are.”
Mitchell Silver, FAICP, Hon. ASLA
